Everything you need to know about the new carbon road wheels

In the cycling world, carbon road wheels are a popular choice for serious cyclists looking to improve performance and save weight. Carbon road wheels are made of lightweight and stiff carbon material, which allows for faster acceleration, better aerodynamic performance and more responsive handling. Manufacturers continue to innovate and release new carbon road wheels to meet the ever-evolving demands of cyclists. In this article you can read more about the most recently released carbon road wheels.

How are carbon wheels made?

The process starts with cutting carbon fiber cloths into the desired shapes. These are then placed in a mold and impregnated with epoxy resin. After curing, the mold is removed and the wheel is precisely machined to create the correct marking of the rims and spoke holes. The wheel is then subjected to rigorous quality testing to ensure strength and durability. Finally, the hubs, spokes and rim strips are installed. The wheel is now ready to be used on the road.

What should you pay attention to when purchasing carbon wheels?

When buying carbon road wheels there are some important factors to keep in mind. Firstly, it is essential to pay attention to the weight of the wheelset and the aerodynamics and stiffness, as these affect the performance of the bike. Secondly, the rim height matters. Taller rims are generally more aerodynamic, but can add more weight. In addition, it is important to look at the braking quality and the bandwidth. Finally, you have to take into account your own driving style, the terrain you ride on and your budget.

What are the latest developments in carbon wheels?

The carbon wheels are becoming more and more user-friendly with the help of new innovations. For example, there is the application of wider rims. Traditionally, road bike wheels were supplied with narrow rims. Today, more and more manufacturers are introducing wider rims to improve performance. These wider rims offer a greater internal rim width, resulting in better support for wider tires. With better grip, comfort and stability, especially at higher speeds as a result. In addition, wider rims can improve airflow around the tires, optimizing the aerodynamic performance of the wheelset.

Another interesting innovation is the integration of braking surfaces in carbon rims. Originally, carbon wheels came with aluminum braking rims to improve braking performance. After all, the carbon rims were less efficient when braking. Recent optimizations made it possible to integrate carbon rims with braking surfaces. The use of aluminum braking rims was thus made superfluous.

And last but not least, there are also developments in the field of sustainability and production methods. Many manufacturers are developing carbon wheels with a reduced environmental impact. Less negative impact on the environment is achieved by using more sustainable materials, adding production processes that use less energy and water, and reducing waste and emissions during production.

What is the difference between carbon and aluminum wheels?

The choice between carbon wheels and aluminum wheels is a hot topic among road cyclists and mountain bikers. Carbon wheels are known for their light weight and stiffness, while aluminum wheels are praised for their durability and affordability. Carbon wheels offer improved aerodynamics and better high-speed performance. Aluminum wheels, on the other hand, are more resistant to bumps and impacts. Both materials have their advantages and disadvantages, depending on your use and your own preference for material.

In short, carbon wheels are ideal for those looking for top performance and willing to invest. The aluminum wheels are often a more affordable option.

What are the latest carbon wheels on the market?

Are you curious about the carbon wheels that have recently entered the market? Below you can read more about the carbon wheels from Zipp and EVNE.

Zipp 454 NSW Carbon Disc Brake Wheelset

The Zipp 454 NSW Carbon Disc Brake Wheelset is a racing wheel, designed using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to optimize aerodynamics. It features a unique rim profile with an alternation of sawtooth-like waves. This profile provides improved stability and braking performance. Especially if you make more speed.

The Zipp wheelset is also equipped with what is known as Zipp’s Cognition hub. This is an innovative freewheel system that reduces friction and improves driveline efficiency. Thanks to the system, a smoother and faster ride is possible, with less energy loss. The tires are suitable for disc brakes and have a tubeless-ready rim bed. You can purchase the Zipp 454 NSW Carbon Disc Brake Wheelset for around 3000 euros.

ENVE SES 5.6 Disc Carbon Wheelset

The ENVE SES 5.6 Disc Carbon Wheelset is a versatile racing wheel suitable for both climbing and flat roads. The rim height is 50 mm at the front and 60 mm at the rear. The wheel is designed for disc brakes and has a wide rim width of 21mm internally, which provides better tire support and cornering grip. In addition, the disc brakes of this wheelset also provide powerful braking performance and reliable braking power in all conditions.

You don’t have to be afraid during your bike ride since the wheels are tubeless-ready. This term means that you have less chance of a flat tire plus that you can also ride without inner tubes. You can purchase ENVE SES 5.6 Disc Carbon Wheelset at ‘bikester.nl’ for just under 3000 euros.

With continuous improvements in materials, manufacturing processes and design techniques, carbon wheels continue to evolve. This type of wheel is expected to continue to grow in popularity with cyclists at all levels.